Do Not Be That Aunt

Sunday, October 8, 2017

So... I let September pass by without posting once. OOPS! I can't think of a previous time I've missed an entire month, but I promise it wasn't for lack of thinking about it or trying to find the time. This was maybe the busiest back to school I've ever had, and I'm vowing to myself that October will not be as crazy as September was-- starting with finding time for TPT and this blog!

I hate it when people make excuses, but I'm going to make a couple of excuses anyway....

The first is my class size this year. When I took on teaching the AG class two years ago, I knew my class size could vary greatly from year to year. This is one of those years when it's swung to the high side and while I'm very grateful for the job security, it's been time consuming trying to get us all off to a smooth start. When parents raised an eyebrow in response to my numbers at Open House, I laughed it off and told them I'd done 28 students several years and a few more was no big deal. I had myself convinced it wasn't a thing, but let me tell you, 34 kids is kind of a thing. To those of you who do numbers like that every year, my hat is off to you!

Now, on to my second excuse...

My sister is having a baby later this month and I am over-the-moon excited! The last few weekends, however, have involved four baby showers, one of which was at my house last Sunday. Typically I devote most fall weekends to school, but my heart has been elsewhere in recent weeks...

Technically, I'm already an aunt, but I didn't meet my niece and nephew on my husband's side until they were 9 and 13, so I've taken this opportunity to ask for some advice from my students on how to be a good aunt to a little kid. This was part of something I've added to my classroom this year called Weekly Letters, a fantastic idea that you can read more about here.

I feel very prepared by the advice my students gave...

1. Take them to the movies. Oddly, this is the first thing I remember doing with my aunt. (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, 1987) Also, toys are better than candy so they won't be so "hiper."

2. This kid agreed with the no candy rule. "Do not be that aunt."

3. Buy her cute clothes, dress her up in them, take pictures and show them in class. Got it.

4. Be calm and quiet. That might be a problem for me. But I can handle taking her to get her ears pierced. Another thing my aunt did for me (when she lied at Walmart and said she was my mom so I could get my second hole when I was 13).

5. "Nobody likes grouchy aunts." Solid advice.

6. I will try not to drag her to the grocery store against her will.

7. Everyone needs a good "roll modle."

8. "Give them a second chance. THEN punish them."

9. This poor guy wasn't sure he could offer any advice since he's not a girl, but he did advise me to be nice to my "sister's child" and not spoil her, which "may cause big problems." I hear ya, buddy!